+ Selena Gomez will host the MTV European Music Awards on Nov. 6 in Ireland. "This is such a huge event that always recognizes the biggest stars in music from across the globe, so it's a real honor to be MC at this year's show," she said in a statement. (MTV News)

+ The fake gun Britney Spears wielded during her "Criminal" video shoot in the UK upset some folks who felt that it glamorized violence in the wake of London's riots. Spears' camp responded: "The video is a fantasy story...which literally plays out the lyrics of a song written three years before the riots ever happened." (MTV News)

+ Nicki Minaj gave big ups to Taylor Swift for the success of their collab "Super Bass." Minaj also revealed her alter ego Roman Zolanski will appear on her new album in a recent video interview. (Billboard)

+ Jay-Z announced he'll be performing a set of shows to open the Nets' new Barclays Center Arena in his hometown of Brooklyn next year. He also revealed he and wife Beyoncé know the gender of their baby (!!!), but the parents-to-be are keeping that hush for now. (Rap-Up)

+ Coldplay paid tribute to R.E.M. at a recent concert. Singer Chris Martin said, "One of our favorite bands of all time, for some crazy reason, have finished, and it's sad," before their cover of "Everybody Hurts." Peep the video. (Billboard)